George Washington, Spymaster: How the Americans outspied the British and won the Revolutionary War
Author: Thomas B. Allen
Publisher: National Geographic, 2004
ISBN: 0792251261
Age: 8-12 years
Grade Level: 3-7

Summary: In George Washington, Spymaster you are about to enter the shadowy world of double agents and covert operations, of codes and ciphers – a world so secret even the spymaster himself doesn’t know the identities of all his agents. Meet members of the “Culper Ring”, help uncover a “mole” in the Sons of Liberty, and see how invisible ink and even a clothesline were used to send secret messages, as you follow the successes and failures of the Americans in their War of Independence.

Standard(s): Utah Social Studies Core Curriculum U.S. History I Standard 5: Students will understand the significance of the American Revolution in the development of the United States.

Annotation: George Washington, Spymaster is a very unique look at the history of spies and intelligence operations during the Revolutionary War. The readers learn of Washington’s history of intelligence gathering during the French and Indian War which began his career and eventually led to him becoming the leader of the Continental Army and master of an extensive spy ring. Numerous pen and ink sketch illustrations by Cheryl Harness are included as well as archival art from that time period which makes this unique journey into history not only a visual delight, but a great learning experience.

Subjects/Themes: American Revolution, George Washington, spy networks

Awards:
· ALA Best Book for Young Adults (2005)
· James Madison Book Award (2005)
· Pennsylvania Young Reader’s Choice Award (2006)
· Garden State Teen Book Award (2007)

Reviews:
· Booklist
· School Library Journal
· Library Journal

High Interest Annotation: The captivating story of the successes and failures of George Washington’s spy network during the Revolutionary War.

Witnesses to War: Eight True-Life Stories of Nazi Persecution.
Author: Michael Leapman
Publisher: Viking 1998
ISBN: 0670873861
Age: 10 & up

Summary: Joseph Steiner and his sister were eight and eleven when the Jews were rounded-up from the Warsaw ghetto. They survived by hiding in abandoned warehouses until they could escape. When Alexander Michelowski was ten, he was taken from his home in Poland by the Gestapo and sent away for “Germanization” and later to a Hitler Youth Camp. Beata Siegel was sent from Germany to England on the Kindertransporte. It was to be nine years before she saw her mother again. Witnesses to War tells the story of how these children and others from across Europe endured persecution at the hands of the Nazis. Award-winning journalist Michael Leapman provides valuable background and insight into their histories, but it is the stories themselves vivid, unembellished and utterly compelling that stand as the finest testimony to the courage of the children of the Second World War.

Standard(s): Utah Social Studies Core Curriculum World Civilizations Standard 5: Students will understand the interaction of peoples in the global integration of the 20th century.

Suggested Age Range: 10 +

Annotation: Witnesses to War takes the reader on a very personal journey with eight children from concentration camps to the Kindertransporte and the Warsaw Ghetto to kidnapped children who were selected for “Germanization”. This book gives a very detailed, and yet brief, glimpse into many of the atrocities of World War II, and how they affected the children of Europe. This book is a chilling reminder of Hitler’s poison and his drive to take over Europe and create the “perfect” race, at the expense of millions of people.

Subject / Themes: World War II, concentration camps, biography

Reviews:
· Publisher Weekly
· School Library Journal
· Booklist
· Voice of Youth Advocates

High Interest Annotation: Eight true life accounts of life during World War II from eight different children of various race and cultural backgrounds.

Something Might Happen

Author: Helen Lester

ISBN: 9780618254064

Publisher: HMH Books for Young Readers

Age Level: 4-8 years

Grade level: Preschool-3^rd

Genre: Picture books

Summary: Little lemur Twitchly Fidget is afraid of everything. He refuses to wash his fur because the shampoo bubbles might not rinse out. He's afraid to put on his sneakers because he might put them on the wrong feet. Worst of all, he's afraid to leave his house to join his friends. Then bossy Aunt Bridget arrives, and when she scrubs Twitchly's fur and puts his sneakers on his feet, Twitchly can't believe that nothing bad happens. Emboldened, he strides out to try all the things that he used to dread.

Personal Thoughts: I love this book! I have loved this book for years, but couldn’t remember the name, and I recently re-found this book!  This is a great story for helping little readers in overcoming fear of the unknown.  Super fun wording, awesome illustrations, and a cute message delivered by Aunt Bridget Fidget.

National Geographic Kids: Everything Battles

Author: John Perritano & James Spears 
ISBN: 9781426311000 
Publisher: National Geographic 
Series: National Geographic Kids Everything Series

Age: 8-12

Grade level: 3-7

Genre: Informational

 Summary: NG Kids Everything Battles captures all of the action and valor of the battlefield, as well as the trappings that go with it. Kids will browse eye-popping photographs and illustrations, as they peruse fascinating facts and information about armor, weapon, uniforms, technology, military jets, battleships, military technology, top secret intelligence and more. Topics will include five ultimate battles, the greatest commanders of all time, and an entirely interactive chapter, in which kids will decipher a secret code, develop their own battlefield strategy, and more. Throughout this dynamic book, layers of authoritative information and fun sidebars and facts make historic events accessible and fascinating for young readers.

Personal Thoughts: I really enjoyed this book. It’s not overly long or really in depth, but gives a good overview of the history of battles as well as current day information. The pictures are engaging, the layout is fantastic and not overwhelming. It’s easily approachable information for any child.